3. The Snow White Poison Apple Misconception
The narrative of Snow White and her meeting with a poisoned apple has many people supposing that apples can be easily poisoned or are somehow fundamentally dangerous. Sometimes this fallacy causes unjustified concerns over apple safety. Actually, apples are among the safest fruits one can consume; the idea of a “poisoned apple” is quite imaginary. The concept in the fairy tale most likely comes from the seeds of the apple, which do in fact contain a chemical called amygdalin. Under metabolism, amygdaline can produce cyanide. Apple seeds have little amygdalin, but their robust outer layer protects against injury. An average adult would have to chew and consume at least 150 whole apples to reach a deadly dosage. Moreover, swallowing some apple seeds by mistake poses minimal risk since most of them pass through the digestive tract whole. Events in the past could have also affected the myth of the poisoned fruit. In mediaeval Europe, some apple family plants—including the deadly nightshade—which produces tiny, cherry-like fruit—were indeed used to create poisons. This association might have given the apple its mythological appeal. Thanks in great part to commercial expansion, Apple safety now is mostly under control. Farmers and distributors have to adhere strictly to pesticide use and handling policies. While cleaning fruits before consumption helps to remove any surface contaminants, the likelihood of finding a really “poisonous” apple is nearly zero. This story reminds us of the power of narrative and how sometimes great stories could alter our perceptions of everyday objects.